"Las Abarcas Desiertas" is a song by Joan Manuel Serrat, a Spanish singer-songwriter. The lyrics tell a story of poverty and hardship, portraying the narrator's experiences growing up with very little. The song begins with the narrator recalling how, on the fifth of January (a traditional Spanish holiday associated with the arrival of the Three Wise Men), they would place their worn-out shoes by the cold window. The days passing by would reveal the reality of their empty shoes, emphasizing the poverty in their life. The narrator reflects on never having had shoes, clothes, or even words to express themselves. They have always lived a life of scarcity and struggle, surrounded by despair and goats. Poverty has clothed them, and the river has licked their body, showing their connection to nature and their humble existence. On the fifth of January, the narrator desires for the world to be like a toy store, where everything is filled with joy and abundance. However, as the dawn breaks and the fields are stirred, their empty shoes remain untouched, a symbol of their lack and isolation. The lyrics suggest that no crowned king had the desire or ability to see the shoes of the poor from the narrator's window. People in power, represented by those wearing boots, mock and ridicule the narrator's worn-out shoes. On the fifth of January, the narrator's shepherd footwear faces the frost as they appear on the sixth. Their gaze falls upon closed doors, once again finding their shoes empty and deserted. The repetition of "mis abarcas sin nada, mis abarcas desiertas" (my empty shoes, my deserted shoes) highlights the ongoing poverty and emptiness in the narrator's life. Overall, "Las Abarcas Desiertas" is a poignant and reflective song about poverty, deprivation, and the harsh realities of life. It conveys a sense of longing and resilience in the face of adversity, showcasing the impact of poverty on a person's identity and their relationship with the world.
